New homeless shelter for singles opening in West Bend

WEST BEND, Wis. (CBS 58) --  Family Promise of Washington County will be opening Karl’s Place, a shelter for single men and women in Washington County, this winter. The singles shelter will bring together shelter, meals, basic health services, and quality case management for individuals at risk of homelessness.

“There is an urgent need to provide care and assistance to improve the circumstances of homeless men and women in Washington County,” said Josh Schoemann, County Administrator. A need for a local shelter became imminent when the temporary shelter closed their doors June of 2016. The local Homeless Coalition responded and developed a plan to build the much-needed facility in Washington County.

The 7,053 square foot facility will consist of an emergency shelter for 14 single men and women who are experiencing homelessness or on the verge of becoming homeless; four supportive housing units for men who are in need of more long-term assistance and a resource center. The resource center will be available to shelter guests, residents and single individuals in the community who are searching for jobs, apartments and other services.

The singles shelter will be a safe place for single men and women who are homeless to rebuild their lives. It will be staffed by caring individuals, 24 hours a day, who will treat the residents with dignity, empathy and respect. This program strives to move individuals from homelessness to permanent housing.

“I am so grateful for the community who has come together to assist with the opening of Karl’s Place.” said Kathleen Christenson Fisher, the Executive Director of Family Promise of Washington County. “Karl’s Place will allow single men and women who are currently living on the street, the opportunity to have a place where they will feel accepted and be treated with empathy and respect,” Fisher said.

A grand opening of Karl’s Place is scheduled for February 6, 2018, 4-7 pm.

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